THE FEDERAL DIARY--"If government employees scored the congressional season--which ends this month--like a baseball game, the final scoreboard probably would show: Civil Servants 5, Fed-Bashers 2." That outcome, of course, assumes certain things will happen between now and the end of the congressional session (Sunday)...Today's column answers questions from readers on the use of official time by union representatives and downsizing (Monday, The Washington Post).

SICK LEAVE--More employers rethink the paid-leave system as workers take time off for every reason but illness (The Washington Post).

ROBOTS AT WORK--Mailmobiles are ideal employees. No complaining, no breaks, and no family worries. And at the FBI, their Marvin, a Mailmobile robot, always delivers. But beware, he may pin you against a wall (The Baltimore Sun).